The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-09-29

What Became of Uncle Ja-
cob's Quitting.
New York Witness.
"Fie, man! Spelling your break
fast, said Uncle Jacob. as he came
into the garden where I was at work.
''Too bad to spoil such nico break
lasts as your Mary GETS"
"Why. Uncle Jacob, "said I, II was
brought up to earn my breakfast be-
tore / ate it,"
Tut. tut, mani I didn't mean
working in the pure air"
what them"
cts that nasty pipe that is spoil.
ing Gods sweet air for you. Spells
your appetite, too. l know all
about it. l never had good
breakfast for twenty years, though
your Aunt Rachel is the
best cook you ever saw. I used to
find fault with my victuals and tell
wife they didn't taste like mothers.
The patient soul bore it all meekly
Tor years, but one morning said: ia
cob, did it never come into your mind
that the difference between your
mothers cooking and mine lays in
that pipe? You didn't smoke when
you ate her food. I try hard
as can to suit you, but you mix so
much tobacco juice and smoke with
the victuals that it spoils it ALL"
II didn't say anything, because
there wasn't nothing to say; but I
kept thinking, yes. and smoking, too,
for awhile, but didn't find any more
fault with your aunt's cooking.
One day, while was down
East for a spell, l was thinking
what could carry home to Rachel.
1t kept coming into my mind that the
thing she would like best would be q
husband with pure breath and clean
lips. So, with a mighty effort and a
prayer for help said: I'll do it. I'll
quit now and forever, so help ME
God!'"
did your" said I, taking my own
A1CCl AOul NY ulOuCus
"Quit?" SAID he, I'D do it after I
made up my mind to it If it killed ME
that's your Uncle Jacob. There was
an old lady moved from our neighbour
hood, who lived fright on the road
where was travelling. She'd known
me from 3 boy. Invent to her and l
says, says I, Aunt Polly, want to
make You a present. Pm going to
give you my pipe and tobacco The
old lady smoked. knew she never
would quit, and l couldn't quite bear
to throw the pipe away, I'd had it so
long.
"'What fur?' says she.
"0h. I'm goingto quit, Aunt Polly.
"'Quit? says she. why, Jacob
Gay, it will kill you! You can't do
it,
"see IL DON'T says I, and rode
away.
"1t's been twenty years and ]
haven't been back after it yet. And
it, didn't kill me ether" said Uncle
Jacob, throwing back his broad
shoulders, and striking his deep chest,
and showing his teeth sound and
white, in spite of his seventy years.
didn't you banker alter your
piper" l asked.
'Hanker! 'Tain't no word for it.
Fact is, I don't believe there's any
word strong enough. But I'd made
up my mind. I was crosser than ten
bears, and didn't dare to 20 home
for three weeks for fear Ishould abuse
Rachel"
"What did Aunt Rachel say when
you told herr"
II never said nothin' about it at
first, but didn't smoke. If she no.
ticed it she didn't let on, the first day
:! The second day, after dinner, she
said, Jacob, seems to me l haven't
seen you smoke since you got home
You amt sick, or nothing be you?
Does your business trouble your
said the kind old soul, anxiously.
"'Pob,' said I; I've always smoked
after ate for thirty years.
"'But I'm sure 1 haven't seen YOU
nor smelt tobacco
eco an look in my other Clothes
Rachel. and see if you don't find my
pipe and tobacco
She went rummaging away 70,
| awhile and at last said
Where be they, Jacob?' she looked
so astonished that 1 said
We'll, Rachel, you needn't look TO,
'em no more. felt the pesky things
down IN Burnham CHATS a good
place for 'em). You and will never SCI
'em again. I've quit. Hain't smoked
for three weeks and don't mean tc
for all time You should have seer
your aunt's face light up. She kinde,
sidled up to me and said:
"'Jacob Gay! I must say!' anG
then she kissed me, a thing she didn't
often do. 'spects she didn't like tn,
smell OF my breath. tell*you, Rach
els cooking was tip-top after that.
"Tve had good breakfasts for twenty
year, to bad taste in my mouth
Don't need to do anything tt
get up an appetite. Rachel's
cooking is as good as mothers
and better, too. You can't think how
! pleased she is when praise it, seein,
was on the other track so long
| There's the breakfast bell. Come
nephew, throw away that old pip
and let's 60 in and tell Mary"
Il won't allow that my Uncle ia
cob has stronger will power than
What he can do his nephew ought"
said. I'll he can stop smoking l cant.
"But don't forget where the strength
comes from, my boy" said my uncle
1T you do. likely as not you'll fail
Tain't no easy Job. had a big tus
sic, and SO will you. Don't try tn,
job alone. But there's the bell again
Mary thinks We ditn't hear"
Ihad just gathered charming bou
quet OF roses for my wife. and as w
passed into the dlning-room l placed
them on the vase by her side, ane
hidden beneath the leaves l TUCKED
my precious meerschaum. Mar,
thanked me for the flowers, but dit
not see the thorn among them. Ate